Awesome, loved it.... but.

This was my first "read" in the killing series. I love the story of Jesus and have been wanting to hear a more historical view point of his life story. I think Bill nailed it. Throughout the book, he has footnotes telling where that bit of info or text came from. I do have one issue though, its a sort of test I have for religious experts and Bill failed in my view. When he talked about the repentant prostitute washing jesus's feet with her hair, tears and expensive perfume. I waited, and then he said it, her name was Mary Magdalene. NOOOO, not true! That women is never mentioned by name in the bible. It was Pope Gregory The Great who surmised it was Mary. When I hear that repeated by someone who should know better, it makes me question all the other things they are talking about. However, Bill does say he wrote this book not solely based on the bible but also on historical writers and writings as well. I'll give him a pass.

47 people found this helpful

The Jesus story in context

Where does Killing Jesus rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

If you are searching for a different take on the Jesus story... You won't find it here. (While NOT a religious book, the book follows the gospels.) Where it excels, is placing the events in historical and cultural context. By freeing the main character (Jesus) from the restraints of strictly gospel and putting him amid the political chaos, cultures, and religious traditions of the time; the story of Jesus simultaneously become more complex and yet amazingly simple. Most Christians are aware of the life and death of Jesus. Most are NOT aware of the politics and religious traditions of the day that led to the series of events chronicled in the gospels.A book aimed at the history buff more than the religious zealot.

What other book might you compare Killing Jesus to and why?

Killing Lincoln, Killing Kennedy
Why: We know how it ends.

Which character – as performed by Bill O'Reilly – was your favorite?

It was more about how all the characters work together to form the context of the death of Jesus that is most compelling.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Don't get the book to be inspired to believe nor to find some amazing nugget of faith. Get the book to better understand historical context; Jewish law, tradition, and historical politics; and how those things worked together to ensure the sacrifice.

110 people found this helpful

Entertaining but also O'Reilly's interpretations

It's not all history. O'Reilly makes several of his interpretations on the meaning written in the Bible in this book. One in particular that I didn't like was on Jesus's conversation in John 3. I think it's an entertaining, well written book, just with some of Bill's interpretations of meaning within the Bible. I'd still recommend listing to it if you're interested in Jesus.

17 people found this helpful

Another home run from O'Reilly

I don't care for O'Reilly on TV. Too much interrupting. As an author and narrator, he's great. As with his other "Killing" books (Kennedy and Lincoln), the author was able to put me in the action. Great book and a solid performance.

52 people found this helpful

Historic view of a familiar story

Where does Killing Jesus rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top rankings. Good pace, good voice, good story from a historic point of view.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Killing Jesus?

I really enjoyed the point of view from using history and the bible as reference points.

Any additional comments?

I agree with other reviews.. don't read this as a book that will change your views on Jesus. Read this to learn more about his life from a history side of things.

16 people found this helpful

Interesting Listening Experience

I truly enjoyed listening to the book. Bill O'Reilly has a distinctive speaking voice that is okay....but the story he told was brilliantly put together and I listened to this book in one day straight through beginning to end.

37 people found this helpful

Finally it all makes sense!

Would you listen to Killing Jesus again? Why?

Yes -- you have to listen to it over and over because there's so much information that's hard to grasp in one listen.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me think a lot about it.

Any additional comments?

Gave me a sense of the history of the time. It was extremely interesting and gave me a much better view of what really happened in that day.

22 people found this helpful

very nice 👌

love this and I love history God's not dead!!!!!! Bill did an excellent job

1 person found this helpful

Worth listening to.

This book has given an insite of the walk of Christ. also details of the ending of our savior.

1 person found this helpful

Well researched

Would you listen to Killing Jesus again? Why?

I will listen to this book many times. For extreme fundamentalists, there may be some issues, none of which are significant. Mostly because the put the historical evidence in line with what the bible states. Also, most Christians feel the Jesus started his public life at 30, but this references starts his public life at 33. It also puts many of the events into some contect. For everyone else, this is an amazing historical reference to align the biblical life of Jesus on earth with the historical evidence available. In many respects it reminds me of Og Mandino's "The Christ Commission." On the other hand, having a historical alignment makes understanding the times and the events even more prolific.

What other book might you compare Killing Jesus to and why?

I'd suggest The Christ Commission by Og Mandino (regretfully not availablel here). Mr. Og was a pen pal of mine before his passing. We first communicated when I just wanted to thank him for my favorite book (The Greatest Miracle In The World). When I read The Christ Commission, it gave me a great understanding of the faith of those that followed Christ in the times immediately following his time physically here. I have strove to do the same ever since.

What does Bill O'Reilly bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Perhaps the inflections of the author, also a historian and public figure.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Definitely.

25 people found this helpful